Jammu and Kashmir High Court grants bail to Kashmiri journalist Fahad Shah after nearly 2 years

New Delhi: After nearly two years in jail, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Friday granted bail to Kashmiri journalist and editor of news website The Kashmir Wala.

Fahad was booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and was also facing charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

The high court dismissed several serious charges levelled against him under the UAPA, including “promoting terrorism”, “waging war against the country” and “promoting enmity”, news website The Kashmiriyat reported.

However, he will face trial under Section 18 of the UAPA and violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) for allegedly receiving funds against the law, Fahad’s lawyer told The Kashmiriyat.

Section 18 of the UAPA states that “whoever conspires or attempts to commit or advocates, incites, advises or (incites, directly or knowingly) prepares to commit any terrorist act, shall be punishable with imprisonment, The term shall not be less than five years but which may extend to life imprisonment and shall also be liable to fine.